Information about your Drinking Water
The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and
wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and, in some
cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.
Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The
presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and
potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPAs Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.
Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
– Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems,
agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
– Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban storm water runoff,
industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.
– Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and
residential uses.
– Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial
processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic systems.
– Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally-occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.
In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in
water provided by public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide
the same protection for public health.
Contaminants may be found in drinking water that may cause taste, color, or odor problems. These types of problems are not
necessarily causes for health concerns. For more information on taste, odor, or color of drinking water, please contact the system’s
business office.
You may be more vulnerable than the general population to certain microbial contaminants, such as Cryptosporidium, in drinking
water. Infants, some elderly, or immunocompromised persons such as those undergoing chemotherapy for cancer; persons who
have undergone organ transplants; those who are undergoing treatment with steroids; and people with HIV/AIDS or other immune
system disorders, can be particularly at risk from infections. You should seek advice about drinking water from your physician or
health care providers. Additional guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium are available
from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in
drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. We are responsible
for providing high quality drinking water, but we cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your
water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2
minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your
water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available
from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.
Please visit link. https://portlavaca.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/WATER-QUALITY-2019.pdf
